464. The Ancient Exotic Beast, Taotie!
464. The Ancient Exotic Beast, Taotie!
At the old site of the Luo family, Lin Fei and Feng Ling arrived, hovering above the scene. The area was eerily deserted, with no sign of life for thousands of miles around, an unusual sight in the densely populated Ancient Continent.
The Luo family, despite lacking a Martial King, had many top-tier Martial Sovereigns and even some methods comparable to Martial Kings. Yet, they were all gone. Feng Ling was visibly shaken, wondering what kind of exotic beast or person could have caused such devastation.
Suddenly, Lin Fei sensed a faint fluctuation of power. It was subtle, but his keen perception picked it up. The two of them flew towards the origin of this disturbance and encountered a handsome man in a black robe, seemingly relishing something with a satisfied expression.
In the midst of the void, stood a handsome man cloaked in darkness, his lips seemingly still savoring a taste, his countenance filled with reminiscence. Murmuring softly, he remarked, "Truly delicious, it's been so long since I've indulged in such a satisfying devouring. Indeed, the Ancient Continent is unparalleled in its allowance for such unrestrained consumption. Yet, alas, time permits no prolonged delays; duty beckons."
The handsome figure in black robes appeared somewhat unsatisfied, his visage adorned with a tinge of regret.
"Is that so? I wonder, what do you define as 'duty'?"
Suddenly, a voice unfamiliar to him emanated from behind. With a swift turn, the handsome figure beheld two imposing silhouettes, a hint of astonishment flashing across his gaze.
"Two Martial Gods? Since when did the Ancient Continent boast such a plethora of Martial Gods? And after such a lengthy wait, instead of the Deity Transformations, Martial Gods arrive. Presumably, you've just attained the status of Martial God? Lacking the intricate machinations of those Deity Transformations. Heh, the formidable Deity Transformations manifest myriad incarnations; where do they not cast their gaze? Do you believe they haven't noticed my presence? But tell me, which of the Deity Transformations has dared to impede my path? Not that they haven't attempted, but rather, they dare not!"
Proudly declared the man in the handsome black robe.
Lin Fei and Feng Ling exchanged glances, understanding the implications. Deity Transformation cultivators should have been the first to respond to such a significant event, but their silence was telling.
Despite this, Lin Fei and Feng Ling couldn't just stand by idly. As newly ascended Martial Gods, they were not intimidated, even without the support of Deity Transformation cultivators. After all, a Martial God is generally considered stronger than a Deity Transformation being of the same level – a widely accepted truth.
Upon reaching the divine realm, the Martial Sovereign proved far more formidable than those in Deity Transformation.
Deity Transformation was primarily a means of survival. To fully vanquish a Deity Transformation expert was exceedingly difficult. For they had numerous avatars at their disposal.
Yet, in terms of offensive prowess and sheer strength, the Martial Gods clearly surpassed.
Lin Fei, alongside Feng Ling, two eminent Martial Gods, feared no one.
"Who are you, really?" Lin Fei inquired, his voice laden with gravity. He had begun to suspect that this cloaked man bore an extraordinary identity.
"Heh, who am I?" the figure chuckled. "I have been known by many names. In ancient times, I bore a name that has long echoed through the ages. Taotie!"
"Boom."
In the next instant, the cloaked man's form expanded rapidly. He then transformed into a monstrous exotic beast spanning the heavens and the earth.
With a human face and a sheep's body, eyes beneath the armpits, and hands like a tiger's teeth, He stood ten thousand meters tall. As he opened his mouth, an infinite suction force seemed to emanate.
Witnessing this, Lin Fei and Feng Ling's expressions shifted subtly. They were certainly familiar with the notorious reputation of Taotie. It was said to be insatiably gluttonous, even to the extent of consuming its own body.
Under the command of the Luo family, entire kingdoms and countless lives had been devoured. Reflecting upon it, this seemed to match the legends of Taotie. Moreover, Taotie was a mythical being, a true divine-level exotic beast!
"You fancy eating, do you? Then feast to your heart's content!"
Feng Ling thought and acted in a heartbeat.
"Boom."
Instantly, she invoked the primal essence of fire. A mighty conflagration descended in an instant, turning the entire void into a sea of flames.
This was no ordinary fire. Not even the phoenix flames, it was the fire of Feng Ling herself. The fire of the primal essence of the Flame Dao. A unique technique of the Martial Gods, capable of harming even divine beings.
"Roar..."
Taotie immediately felt the scorching burn of the flames, a significant threat even to it.
"I will devour you!" Taotie bellowed. It opened its massive maw, intent on swallowing Feng Ling whole.
Lin Fei's gaze turned icy. He launched a fist.
"Bang."
Lin Fei's punch held nothing back. He exerted his full strength, mobilizing the particles of his flesh... And even the power of a hundred particle worlds. Thus, his fist struck Taotie's gaping mouth
"Bang."
Taotie's mouth shattered upon impact, shattered completely. Then, with a grand sweep of his hand, Lin Fei's grasp, like a mountain, enveloped all.
"Boom."
Taotie was utterly confounded. Its immense form was firmly suppressed by Lin Fei's colossal hand, rendered completely immobile.
Was this the prowess of a newly ascended Martial God? Since when had Martial Gods become so formidable?
"World Laws, Seal!"
Lin Fei invoked the world's laws, Binding them directly onto Taotie. The world's laws, adept in suppression and sealing, even divine-level exotic beasts were not exempt.
However, Lin Fei was now somewhat perplexed. This Taotie seemed too feeble. At least, in his eyes, it was. Were mythological creatures always this weak?
"Such a weak Taotie, are you truly the legendary one from the myths?"
Lin Fei was skeptical.
Taotie, meanwhile, widened its eyes, staring at Lin Fei and Feng Ling. It had just been utterly overpowered, completely dominated, especially by Lin Fei. Both in strength and in law, he had overwhelmed it.
Could there be such a terrifying Martial God? Or had it simply been too long since its return? Had the Ancient Continent changed? Wasn't the Ancient Continent a mundane realm where the strongest were only at the divine level?
Once it returned to the mundane realm, it was supposed to be invincible. After all, in the myths of the mundane realm, it was a fearsome being from the ancient era.
Thus, it had strived to return to the Ancient Continent. But now, having consumed only a fraction of life, it was sealed. This hardly matched what it had heard of the mundane realm.
"Where do you hail from?" Lin Fei inquired.
"I come from the Divine Realm," Taotie lamented, "Damn Kun, deceiving me to come to the mundane realm, claiming I could devour life at will. It even told me to seek someone, a human Martial King named Lin Fei."
"Hmm? Kun?" Lin Fei's expression chilled as he stood with his hands behind his back. "I am Lin Fei. If you speak of Kun, then I understand. The one Kun sent you to find is me. However, I am no longer a Martial King, but a Martial God!"
Lin Fei's words left Taotie agape, its heart reeling in shock. It had thought itself deceived by Kun. Little did it know that there truly was a Martial King named Lin Fei. But now he had transformed into a Martial God.